dunham



2 Sheets-Sheet l G. W. DUN'HAM WASHING MACHINE' Original Filed July 24, 1936 .sax 5m? Attorney. l

' Invntov: Gem/gew Dunham',

i lidi May 4, 1943.

2 Sheets-Shegt 2 Iliff!! .5 ...iii Vdnl.. fr .1w /4 eW'Dunh am ttorneg .f

A Inventor* Georg b5 l# G, w. DUNHAM WASHING MACHINEv May 4, 1,943,

. original Filed July 24. 19:56

Reissue! May 4, 1943 Re.l 22,301

'WASHING MACHINE George W. Dunham, Westport,

Conn., assignor to General Electric Company, a' corporation of ,New York 'original No. 2,215,846, dated Maren 1o, 1942,-

Serial No. 92,373,

July 24, 1936. Application for reissue May 20, 1942, Serial N0. 443,763

14 claims.

The present invention relates to washing ma` chines of the type having a centrifugal extractor for drying the clothes.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved construction and arrangement-inwashing machines of this type and, for a consideration of what I believe to be novel and my invention, attention is directed to the accompanying description and the claims appended thereto.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a. sectional elevation, partly broken away, of a washing machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional. view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing the arrangement for driving the agitator and the rotatable receptacle; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-14 of Fig. l; Fig. 5is a top plan view ofthe universal joint used to transmit power to the shaft for driving the rotatable receptacle; Fig. 6 is a sectional viewV taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4;Fig. '1 is an enlarged viewgof the portion of Fig. 1 showing the manner of securing the rotatable receptacle to the carrier; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carrier for the rotatable receptacle; Fig. 9 is a sectional plan view of the upper end of the agitator showing' the arrangement for holding the agitator on the Vertical shaft; Fig. 10

is the plot showing the frequencies of precesslon' of the rotatable receptacle; and Fig.`11 is a sectional elevation of a modification of the arrangement fordamping precession of the rotatable receptacle.

joint are bolted The arms I2 of the universal to bosses I3 on a bracket secured to a vertical shaft I4. The gravity thrust of the vertical shaft I4 is transmitted to the shaft 1 through a ball thrust bearing I5. With this arrangement the universal joint does not have to withstand any ofthe gravity thrust, and the friction of the universal joint, which tends to cause shaft whip or in other words forward ,precession of the shaft, is decreased. With this construction it is` possible to use a simple universal joint of the type shown, which may consist merely of a piece of sheet steel provided with two versal joint I I.`

pairs of arms which are connected respectively vThe lwashing machine has a 'stationary tub which comprises a cylindrical casing I at-the bottom of which is soldered a head 2. A stiienv ging ring 3 is fixed to the insideof the casing below the heard 2, so that the depending sides of the casing serve as a base. The upper end of the tub is partially closed by an annular cover 4 Vwhich fits within the upper edge of the casing I.

The closure-,of the top of the stationary tub is completed byv a cover 5 which rests on the inner edge of the annular cover 4. A splash ring ii'EL is secured to the casing by a rubber bead 5b.

The driving mechanism for the washing machine is carried in a housing 6 suitably supported by the stiiening ring 3. This driving mechanism, which is adapted to effect selective oscillation or rotationof va vertical shaft 1, may be of any suitable type, forexample, the driving mechanism shown in my Patent Number 2,161,618, issued June 6, 1939. Keyed to the shaft 1 is a brake drum 8 having diametrically opposed bosses 9 to which are bolted arms Il! of aunito the driving and driven shafts. The arms o f the universal joint are suiliciently flexible so that the vertical shaft I4 may have -a gyratory movement with respect to the driving shaft 1. The

friction in the universal joint is further decreased by the use of metal which has low internal fric# tion compared to fabric.

The vertical shaft I4 extends through a sleeve I6, the upper end of which is above the normal water level in the stationary tub. The upper end of the sleeve is provided with a spherical seat for a self-lubricating bearing I1 which guides the shaft I4. This spherical .seat comprises a flared portion I8 of the sleeve` and a collar. I8 which is secured ln the upper end of the sleeve. The spherical seat permits alignment of the bearing I1 with the shaft I4, lso that the bearing pressure is uniform regardless of the inclination of the shaft.

The housing 6 for the driving mechanism has fixed thereto a hollow post 20. which extends through a central opening in the head 2 forming the bottom wallof the stationary tub. The post 20 Iis secured to the bottom wall of the tub by means of screws 2| which are threaded through a clamping ring 22 into a flange 23 on the post. Leakage from the bottom of the tub is Vfromla spherical collar 29 fixed to the sleeve I6. The upper ring 26 is arranged between the upper side of the flange 28 and a nutlSii which' through which the liquid is discharged. The

is threaded intolthe upper end of the post 2li. The nut 3l varies the compression of the rubber and thereby varies the 'stiiness of the mounting. With this mounting the sleeve I6 is resiliently held in a central position and is free to tiltl in all directions in order that the shaft I4 `may have a gyratory movement about the driving shaft 1.

The gyratory movement of the shaft I4 is damped by friction members bearing on the spherical collarv 29. The lower friction member comprises a ring 43| .seated on the inner edge of the ange 2l. The outer edge of the ring 3| bears against the inner edge of the lower cushioning ring 2G, and the inner edge of the ring 3l is provided with a spherical seat carrying friction material 32 which bears on the spherical collar 29. The upper friction member comprises tion and can therefore be made of a relatively cheap material, such as galvanized steel or cast iron, while the receptacle, which must be .made of relatively expensive non-corrosive material, can be very light. The receptacle can therefore be easily removed for cleaning. Another advantage of this construction is that the spacing of a ring 33 slidably carried in a sleeve 34 integral with the nut 3l. The ring I3 likewise has a spherical seat carrying friction material 35 which bears` on the upper side of the spherical collar 29. 'Ihe outer edge ofthe sleeve 34 bears `against the inner edge of the upper cushioning ling 26. The pressure between the friction ma terial 32 and'35 and the spherical surface of ring 2l is determined by a coil spring 35 which presses against the upper edge of the ring 33. Since the ring 33 is slidable in the sleeve 34 the pressure on the spring 36 is not transmitted to the rub- Iber rings 26 and therefore does not effect theresilient mounting for the sleeve I5. Also, the pressure exerted :on the friction material is not aectedby the inclination of the shaft I4. The friction members obviously resist tilting of the shaft I4. n

In the upper rotatable tub or and part of the stationary tub is a the stationary tub is suilicient to provide a storthe arms 43 to the carrier is suilcientto permit easy access to the bottom and side walls of the stationary tub when the receptacle 3l is removed. This facilitates the cleaning of the tub. Another advantage of this construction is that the annu- Alar reinforcingwalls 42, which are relatively heavy, increase the mass of the receptacle and thereby diminish the amplitude of gyration due to unbalanced distribution of load within the receptacle.

receptacle 3l for receiving liquid material to be washed. 'Ihe space between.

`the bottom of the receptacle and the bottom of age space for all the liquid which can be placed in the receptacle. The receptacle is made of Vrelatively thin and non-corrosive metal. such as aluminum, so that it is quite light. The side walls of the receptacle are imperforate and are tapered so that, as the receptacle is rotated, liquid will be discharged over its upper edge. uThe side walls of the receptacle are provided with vanes 3l which increase the friction between the liquid and the receptacle at the start' of the extracting operation, so that the liquid will be more quickly expelled from the receptacle. At the upper edge of the receptacle is an annular guard ring 39 which keeps the clothes within the receptacle during washing and extracting. The

guard" ring is provided withfperforations 40 Y and provides a gripV for the lifting of the receptacle.

The receptacle is supported on a carrier (see t Fig. 8) having annular reinforcing walls 42 surrounding the side walls of the receptacle and 'I'he carrier is supported on the upper end of the vertical shaft I4 by a combined sleeve and thrust bearing 52 which is held in the upper end of the hub by a washer53 arranged between the bearing and aspun-overI portion 54 of the hub. The lower edge of the bearing 52 bears on a flange 55 of a sleeve 5S which is splined on the.

hub 45 is guided on the i bearing 58 secured to the inside of the hub.

With this arrangement the carrier and receptacle are rotatably supported on the shaft I4, and -the shaft I4 is normally free to rotate relative to i the hub 45. When the carrier is removed from the shaft I4, a snap ring 59 holds the sleeve 56 and the parts assembled thereon in xed relation to the hub 45, so that these parts are re- 'moved as a unit. This allows the bearing 5B to thereby reducing the be of minimum diameter, friction loss, and permits the whole carrier assembly to be lifted od the shaft I4 without disturbing any of the parts.

' The splined end of the shaft I4 projects above thejsleeve 5'6 anda nut 6I tting thereon which nts within a complementary opening Il in the hub of an agitator I2. providing a positive driving connection for the agitator. The weight of the agitator is carried on the upper end of the sleeve 5I through a thrust washer 53. The upper end of the hub 45 and the agitator extend above having spaced radial .arms 43 connecting the walls 4 2 to a disk l44 to which is secured a hub 45. The manner of securing Vthe hub to the disk 44 is shown in Fig. 7. In this arrangement a sleeve 4I is suitably ilxed to the lowerend of the hub, and screws 41- are threaded through a flange 4I on the sleeve into tapped holes in the disk 44. The receptacle is secured to the carrier by means of a wing nut 4l threadedon the sleeve the'normal water level in the receptacle, but, during washing. wateris sometimes splashed over the upper end o f the agitator. Leakage of this water around the shaft Il is prevented by a cap 84 secured overl the upper end of .the agitator. Within this cap is carried a wire spring 85 of the configuration shown in Fig. 9. This spring nor- .mally' occupies the ,position shown in Fig. 5 in whichthe sides of the springt within a groove Il of the cap, and in which the arms 51 of'this spring fit-in an annular groove 6l in the upper end of the shaft I4.

When in this position. the

receptacle.

aaso'r spring 65 are pressed inward, thereby spreading y the arms 61 clear of the groove 68 so that the agitator may be lifted from the upper end of the shaft. The arms 61 have sufficient resilience so that they will be forced apart by the upper end of the shaft I4 when the agitator is replaced.-

The lower end ofthe agitator is guided on the hub I5 by a bearing 18. i

The arrangement for connecting the shaft 6 to the receptacle during extracting is the samevas that shown in my Patent Number 2,161,619, issued June 6, 1939. Inaccordance with this ar-rangement the lower end of the sleeve 58 is provided with a squared -portion 1I between the flange 55 and a flange 12. Between these flanges are clutch shoes 13 lwhich are held againstthe squared surface by split rings 14 when the shaft I4 isoscillated at the required speed for washing. Therefore, during this oscillation of the shaft the receptacle will'not be connected to the shaft upright position due to the friction between the collar 28 andthe friction material 82 and 35 and.

to the absence of external force such as produced by the washing means. Onel arrangement for accomplishing this result comprises a collar 15 pvoted on a sleeve 16 depending from the flange 21. Three pins 11, which 'are slidably carfried in the sleeve 16, extend radially from the sleeve I6 into a groove 18 in the collar 15. The pins 11 support the collar by 'engaging a flange 18 on the collar. When the collar is in the posiandthe agitator will oscillate in the receptacle. .v When the clothes are to be dried the shaft Il is rotated. As soon as the speed of rotation exceeds a few hundred R. P. M., the centrifugal force acting on the clutch shoes 13 causes the shoes to be thrown outward. `When the shoes make contact with the inner surface'of the hub 45 the friction between the shoes and the hub causes the shoes to be displaced relative to the squared cam surface 1I. This displacement causes the shoes to be wedged between the 'cam surface and the hub, thereby completing 'a positive driving connection between the shaft and the receptacle. Similarly, when stopping the rotation of the receptacle, for example, by applyingV a braking vforce to the brake drum 8, the shoes release and immediately 'wedge in the opposite direction. This driving connection is dependent -upon the torque transmitted through the shaft I4', so that when the torque is removed the shoes may by means of springs 1II, be easily returned to their normal position against the squared surface 1|.

' In the use of thei'xnachine, the receptacle 31 is loaded with clotlies Iand filled with -a suitable washing solution. The driving mechanism is then adjusted so that the shaft 1 is oscillated. During this oscillation movement, the receptacle tion shown in full lines in Fig. 6, there is-riov clearance between the pins 11,'the sleeve I6,

and the groove 18', and the sleeve I6 is accord- I ingly held in a vvertical position, thus preventing tilting of the receptacle during washing. During extracting, the .collar 15 is moved by lever 88 to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6. In this position, depressions 8| in the groove 18 provide sufcient clearance toy permit inclination of the sleeve I6.

At the conclusion of the washing operation, the driving mechanismV is adjusted so that the shaft 1 is rotated continuously lin one direction. As soon as the speed of rotation -of the shaft 1 is such the centrifugal force of the shoes exceeds that of the retaining springs, the clutch shoes 13 move outwardly under the action of centrifugal force and touch the inner surface of the hub 45. As soon as the shoes 13'contact the inner surface of the hub 45, their rotation is retarded and the squared surface 1I cooperates with the inner surface of the shoes 13 and wedges the shoes tightly against the inner surface of the hub 45. This effects a positive privingv connection between the shaft I4 and the receptacle which causes the receptacle to be rotated.

Since the clothes may be nonuniformly distributed in the receptacle, the receptacle may be tation of the receptacle and partially of dynamic unbalance which is equivalent to the couple produced by vertically spaced weights of equal size located on opposite sides of and equidistant from 31 remains substantially stationary due to inertia,`Y`r and the oscillation of the agitator relative to the receptacle causes the clothes to be washed. During the washing operation, the receptacle '31 may be tilted to one side due to the fact that the clothes are not uniformly distributed in the During the washing operation the bearing loss in the bearings`52 and 58 is negligible due to the low speed of oscillation of the shaft I4.

Since the resilient mounting provided by the rubber rings 26 is preferably quite weak, the tilting of the receptacle may be suilicient to cause the receptacle to. strike the side of the casing I.

Oncein this position, the receptacle will tend to remain there due to thec shifting of the liquid,

and the friction between the receptacle and-,the casing and the .resultant unbalance would greatly increase the power required for the Isubsequent rotation of the receptacle for extracting. In the present construction, this Adifficulty is avoided by holding the receptacle in a central position during washing, the holding device being released after washing and before starting to dry. The

receptacle will then remain in a substantially l resilient mounting provided for the lower end of tacle to rotate about its center of mass, but the the axis of rotation of the receptacle. The static unbalance will tend to-cause `gyration of the receptacle about its axis so that the receptacle rotates about its center of mass. The dynamic unbalance will tend to cause tilting of the receptacle so as to bring the receptacle into a position in which there isno unbalanced couple. The

the sleeve I6 permits gyration of the receptacle about itsfaxis so that the receptacle rotates about its center of mass, neutralizing the effect of static unbalance. Since the resilient mounting has some stiffness, the gyration of the receptacle about its axis is not suflicient to permit the recepresilient mounting does permit sufficient gyration of thev receptacle to approximate that position so that the vibration due to static unbalance is considerably decreased.v Since the sleeve bearings 52 and 58 prevent tilting of the receptacle with-,respect to the shaft I4, the receptacle will 'cause vibration due to the dynamic unbalance. This tendency of the receptacle to ktilt/ causes heavy bearing pressure on the bearings 52 and 58, but since there is no relative rotation between the bearing surfaces of these bearings, this pressure causes no bearing loss. Most of the gfcrce due to the dynamic unbalance oi the receptacle will be vtransmitted through the universal joint at the lower end of the shaft Il to the shaft 1. This force is taken by the bearings'in'which the shaft l rotates. Since the bearings for the shaft 1 are a considerable distance from the receptacle 31. the force on the bearings due to the unbalanced couple is less than it would be at a point nearer the receptacle. This means thatthe bearing loss due to the unbalanced couple is decreased. Also, these bearings are located below the stationary tub and are therefore not subjected to the humid atmosphere within the tub and are more easily lubricated. Some of the force due to the dynamic unbalance or unbalanced couple is transmitted to the sleeve I8. However, since this sleeve is resiliently supported, these vibrations are cushioned. The cushioning action decreases the bearing pressure on the bearing I1 and thereby decreases the bearing loss During the rotation of the receptacle vibrations are transmitted from the receptacle through the universal joint and the sleeve I8 to the ring 3.

' Some of the vibrations are shaft frequency vibra' tions due to unbalance. These vibrations are particularly great when the speed of the shaft is such that the vibrations are resonant with the natural frequency of the mounting provided by the rubber rings 2B. This vibration may be termed the critical vibration of the machine due to this mounting andthe speed at which this vibration occurs may be called the mounting critical speed. It is desirable that the speed at which this vibration takes place be substantially below the normal operating speed, for example less than one-sixth of normal speed,` so that the centrifugal forces due to unbalance which are proportional to the square 'of the speed will be relatively small and the reaction onthe bearings will not produce so much friction that the receptacle can not be driven through the critical speed. In the machine illustrated, the mounting initial speed is one-fifteenth of the normal running speed. In addition to these vibrations, there may be gyroscopic vibrations which result in precession of the receptacle. Precession is a rotation kof the axis of rotation of the receptacle and may be forward or backward with respect to the direction of the shaft rotation. Backward precession is due to the restoring force provided by the rubber rings 28. Forward precession may be due to internal friction in the rotating parts, such as internal friction in the shaft I4 and friction in the universal joint Il. Forward precession may also result,

shaft speed increases above the critical speed the frequency of the forward .precession increases slightly and the frequency of the backward precession decreases slightly, both changes Vbeing p tween the floor and the machine.V However, a7

resilient support which will decrease the transmission to the floor of the vibrations due to unbalance at normal running speed is relatively ineffective to decrease the amplitude of the larger amplitude vibrations due to themounting critical speed or to gyroscopic vibrations. These large amplitude vibrations may be of Isuch magnitude as to cause the receptacle to strike against the tub `and damage the machine. The reaction produced on the bearings bythe critical vvibrations due to the mounting may be suiliciently large to prevent bringing the receptacle up to its normal operating speed. It is therefore desirable that some means be provided for damping these large amplitude vibrations. This damping should' be relatively ineffective for vibration of small amplifrom unbalanced application of the driving force.

Since the forward precession tends to damp out backward precession, it is usually the more troublesome. Forwardprecession is sometimes known as ,shaft whip." Both forward and backward precession are damped out by the stationary or non-rotating damping provided by the friction between the ring 29 and the friction material 32 and 35 and by the internal friction in the rubber rings 2I. The forward precession will not build up if the stationary damping'force'ris equal or greater thanthe forceexciting the forward precession. One important -characteristic of this damper is that it has no 10st motion. If lost motion is present the precession buildsup to such a large amplitude that a great deal more damping is required to damp it out. Another characteristic of the damper is that the damping is symmetrical with respect to the axis of the shaft .Il and is independent ofinclination ofthe shaft Il. The

frequency ofhprecession is of the same order as the mounting critical frequency due to the mounting provided by the rubber rings 28. As the ranged betweenv shoulders tudes so that it will not increase the transmission of these vibrations.

A supporting arrangement which will decrease the transmission of the vibrations due to unbalance at normal running speed and which will damp the larger amplitude vibrations is shown in Fig. 1.` In this arrangementfa plurality of springs 82 are arranged between seats 83 or brackets 84 secured to vring 3 andf'on caster brackets 85. These springs'are chosen so that the natural frequency of the machine on the springs does not correspond with any frequency of precession. It is generally preferable to have this natural frequency above the precession-frequencies. These springs are arranged at the outer edge of the machine and are resilient i-n all directions so that the horizontal and vertical components of vibration are cushioned. In parallelwith the springs 82 are friction damping means comprising links .86 having a slot 81 fitting over tongues 88 on brackets 8l and having slots 89 fitting over studs 98 on caster brackets 85. On the studs 90 on each side of the links 88 are washers 9| which are ar- 92 and a coil spring 93. Damping is provided by the friction between the links 86 and the washers 9|. Due to the lost motion connectionsbetween the tongues 88 and the links 88, the damping is effective only for vibrations of large amplitude. During the operation of the machine, the machine has a rocking vibration on the springs 82 which comprises horizontal and vertical components. -Due to the connection between the ears 88 and the links 86, only the vertical component of vibration is damped. This is the principal component of vibration transmitted to the floor. It is important that the damping means be unaffected by the horizontal component of vibration since anyresistance offered to horizontal vibration will produce a re-l action which will increase the transmission of the vernam vibration.` n is alsoimportant that te damping means be substantially unaffected by small amplitude vertical vibrations.

Another characteristic of this damping-arrangement is that it is not chine since the slots 09 in links B0 permit the links to assume a position which corresponds to the deilectionof the springs B2 under the weight of the machine. When the weight'oi the machine is removed from the springs 82, for example during shipping, the links 86 hold the springs under tension so that they remain in place.

In Fig.v 11 is shown another arrangement for damping precession. struction, the resilient mounting for the sleeve i6 is provided by rubber cushioning rings 94, the lower ring being arranged between the flange 21 on the post 20 and a flange 95 on a sleeve 96 secured to'the sleeve i6, and the upper ring being arranged between the upper side of the flange 95 and a nut 91 threaded into the upper end of the post 20. Friction damping is provided by a disk 98 which is pressed against the` upper edge f nut 91 by a disk 99. The pressure on the disk 99 is obtained from springs |00 arranged between the disk 98 and'the heads of screwsri0l threaded into lugs |02 on the outside of the post 20. The disk 9 8 is provided with a spherical seat for a spherical surfacedcollar |03 ilxed to the sleeve I6 so that there is no lost motion between the sleeve l0 and the disk 98.

I This damping arrangement is also independent` of the resilient mounting for the sleeve I6, that is, the friction damping is independent of the inclination of the sleeve I6.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a washing machine having a tub, 'Va' ro- `tatable receptacle in the tub for receiving liquid and material to be Washed, means including a vertical sleeve extending upward from the bottom of the tub for supporting the receptacle,

washing means in said tub, shaft means extending through said sleeve for operating said washaffected by the weight oi the ma- As in the previous con` washing means andfor rotating said receptacle to extract liquid from. the material contained therein, means for resiliently supporting said sleeve for gyratory movement relative to the tub. said supporting means being suflciently resilient so that the sleeve will tend to assume a tilted position during washing, a sleeve surrounding said first sleeve, radially extending members slidable in said second sleeve, and a collar surrounding said members and having parts movable into and out of a position engaging said members for preventing radial movement of said members and thereby holding said iirst sleeve vertical during washing 4.- In a combined washing and drying machine, a vertical shaft. a receptacle for receiving-liquid and material to be washed supported on and adapted to be rotated by said shaft, means for agitating liquid in said receptacle for washing purposes, ay sleeve in which said shaft is .1our-' naledpa member on said sleeve having a spherical surface and a flange projecting therefrom,

cushioning members engaging said flange for f lresiliently resisting tilting of the sleeve and thereby resiliently centering the 4sleeve in an upright position, and friction members bearing on said spherical surface for' resisting tilting of the sleeve and thereby preventing precession of vthe receptacle.- v

ing means and for rotating said receptacle to.`

extract liquid from the material contained therein, means for resiliently supporting said sleeve for gyratory movement` relative to the tub, said supporting means being sufilciently resilient so that the sleeve will tend to assume a tilted position during washing, and stabilizing means engaging said sleeve for decreasing the tendency of said sleeve to tilt during washing.

2. In a washing machine having atub, a ro y tatable receptacle in the tub for receivingliquid and material to be washed, means including a vertical sleeve extending upward from the bottom of the tub for supporting the receptacle, washing' means in sald tub, shaft means extendingthroughfaid' sleeve for operating said washing means lnd for rotating said receptacle t extract liquid from the. material .contained t verein, vmeans for resiliently supporting said sleeve for gyratory movement relative' to the tub, said supporting means being sufilciently resilient so that the sleeve will tend to assume a tilted position during washing, members .engaging said sleeve, and means preventing radial movement of said members for holding said sleeve vertical during washing.

3. In a washing machinehaving a tub, a rotable receptacle in the tub forfreceiving liquid and material to' be washed, means including a vertical sleeve extending upward from the botvtom oi they tub for supporting the receptacle,

washing means in said receptacle, shaft means lextending through said sleeve for operating said 5. In a combined'washin'g and drying machine,

a receptacle for receiving material to be washed,

receptacle and forv rotating the receptacle at a speed above its critical speed to centrifugally exltract liquid from the material contained therein, supporting means for resiliently resisting tilting of the axis of rotation of the receptacle whereby the receptacle may have a gyratory movement on a vertical axis during extracting, said Supporting means. being sumeiently resilient so that the receptacle tends to assume a tilted position during washing, meansffor holding the receptacle in a central position during Washing, said holding means releasable during extracting, and friction damping means acting through said supporting means for resisting said tilting of the axis of rotation of the receptacle.

6. In a combined washing and drying machine, a receptacle for receiving material toA be washed, bearing means in which the receptacle is journaled for rotation on a vertical'axis, means for eiectingwashing in the receptacle and fo'r rotating the receptacle at a speed above its critical speed to centrifugally extract liquid from the materialcontained therein, means for resiliently resisting movement of said bearing means Atransverse to said vertical axis whereby the receptacle may have a gyratory movementA during being releasable during extracting', andfrictiondamping means resisting said transverse movement of said bearing means.

7. In a combined washing and drying machine,

a casing, a. receptacle in the casing for receiving i liquid and material to be washed, a vertical shaft extending upward from the bottom of tlie casing,

means including said vertical shaft for effecting washing in the receptacle and for rotating the .receptaclekto extract liquid from the material contained therein, means including a bearing porting the shaft and receptacle for gyratory movement relative to the casing, friction damping means acting through a bearing for the vertical shaft for resisting the tilting movement' of thevertical shaft whereby precession of the receptacle during extracting is prevented,a resili- A 4 22,307 engaging said vertical shaft for resiliently supt 4 axis, means for resiliently supporting the bear- Y ent mounting for supporting the machine on a floor or the like such that the naturall frequencies of the vibration of the machine on the mounting is outside the frequencies of precession of the receptacle, and friction damping means for damping the vibration of the machine on said mounting, said damping means constructedv so as to be substantially ineffective for small amplitudes of vibration.

8. In a combined washing and drying machine, a casing, a receptacle in the casing for receiving liquid and material to be washed, a vertical shaft extending upward from the bottom of the casing,

means including a bearing engaging said vertical shaft for resiliently supporting the shaft and. receptacle for gyratory movement relative to the casing, means including'said vertical shaft for tating the receptacle at a speed above its critical speed to extract liquid from the material contained therein, friction damping means acting through a bearing for the vertical shaft for re- `effecting washing in the receptacle and for roing to hold-.th'e receptacle one of which is mounted on 4the bottom of the tub.

l1. In a combined washing and drying machine, a receptacle .for receiving liquid and material to be washed, bearing means in which the receptacle is journaled 'for rotation on a vertical ing means for gyratory movement about said vertical axis, friction damping means for resisting gyratory movement of said bearing whereby precession of the receptacle during extracting is prevented, means for eifecting washing in the receptacle and for rotating the receptacle at a speed above its critical speed to extract liquid from the material contained therein, and means for resiliently supporting the machine on a oor or the like such that the natural frequency of` thefmachine on said supporting means is outside the frequencies ,of procession of the receptacle.

12. In a laundry machine, a vertical shaft, a Y

receptacle supported on and adapted to be rotated by said shaft, a sleeve` in.v which said shaft is journaled, a member on said sleeve having a spherical surface and a ilangeprojecting therefrom, cushioning members engaging said iiange for resiliently resisting tilting of the sleeve and thereby resiliently centering the sleeve in an upright position, and friction members bearing on said spherical surface for resisting tiltingof the sisting the tilting movement of the vertical shaft sleeve and thereby preventing DIECQSSOD 0f the whereby precession of the receptacle during extraction is prevented and a resilient mounting .for supporting the machine on a floor or the like such that' the natural frequencies .of the receptacle.

v 13. In combination, a rotatable clothes receptacle, a mounting for resiliently supporting the receptacle for gyratory movement, said resilient vibration of the machine on the mounting is mounting having acritical speed well below the outside the frequencies of precession of the receptacle.

9. In awashing machine having atub, a. rotatable receptacle in the tub for receiving liquid and clothes tofbe washed, washing means in the 40 -receptacle, vertical shaft means extending upward from the bottom of the tube for selectively operating saidwashing means and for rotating the receptacle for centrifugal drying, means supporting the receptacle at the upper end of the shaft means, means for resiliently supporting normal running speed of the receptacle, driving means for rotating the receptacle at a speed abovevsaid critical speed, a driving Vconnection Y between the receptacle and said driving means the shaft means for tilting movement relative to the tub, and stabilizing means acting on a. part in which the shaft means is journaled forv decreasing the .tendency of said receptaclel to tilt during washing- 1li.L In a washing machine having a tub, a ro-H tatable receptacle in the tub for receiving liquid and clothes to be washed, washing means inthe receptacle, vertical shaft means extending upward from the bottom of the tube forfselectively operating said means and for rotating the receptaclefor centrifugal drying, means supporting the receptacle at thev upper end of the shaft means,means for resiliently supporting the receptacle for tilting movement relative to the tub, and stabilizing means at the bottom of'the tub for decreasing the tendency of the receptacle to tilt during washing comprising parts cooperatpermitting angular movement ofl the receptacle relative to said driving means, said driving connection including a universal joint comprising a flexible plate of material having a low internal friction, and friction damping means acting through apart in which the receptacle is journaled for frictionally resisting gyratory movement of the receptacle.

14. In combination, a rotatable clothes recep.- tacle, a mounting for resiliently supporting the receptacle for gyratory movement, said resilient mounting having a critical speed well below the normal running speed of the receptacle, driving means forl rotating the receptacle at a speed -above said critical speed, a driving connection between the receptacle and said driving means permitting angular movement of the receptacle relative to said driving means, said driving connection including a universal joint of metal having a; low internal friction and of the type in which relative angular movement is accompanied by exing of the material of the joint, and friction damping'means acting through a part in which the receptacle is journaled for frictionally resisting gyratory movement of the receptacle.

GEQRGE W. DUNHAM. 

